Vegetables at reduced rates: formulation of comprehensive plan directed

LAHORE : Punjab Chief Minister (CM), Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has directed that a comprehensive system should be developed for provision of vegetables to the common man at 50 percent reduced prices during the next three months. He also said vacant state land, parks and other places should be used for growing vegetables, besides encouraging kitchen gardens and plantation of vegetables at the spare land of educational institutions.

Presiding over a meeting to review production of vegetables in the province here on Monday, Shahbaz said price hike has made the life of common man miserable, especially meat, vegetables have also gone beyond the reach of the poor as well as the middle class.

He stressed the need to take steps to provide quality vegetables on low prices to the common man, saying government wants to provide vegetables to the poor at reduced prices by all means.

The CM said kitchen gardens and vegetables’ plantation are long-term projects of the agriculture department but he wants a system in place immediately, under which vegetables are provided to the people at half the prices within 90 days. He said that in the first phase, eight vegetables including onion, tomato and carrot should be selected (for growing) keeping in view the needs of the common man. Prices of these vegetables will come down when these are in ample supply, he added.

Shahbaz directed that a comprehensive plan in this regard should be presented within a few days and the project be implemented accordingly. He also directed that a committee be constituted to review implementation of the project. He added that those setting up kitchen gardens at homes and planting vegetables in schools should be encouraged.

Earlier, Secretary Agriculture Captain Arif Nadeem (Retd) informed the meeting that there is a vast scope to enhance vegetable production. He added that the department has adopted a comprehensive strategy for increasing production of vegetables under which in addition to growing vegetables at vacant spaces and kitchen gardens, Punjab Agriculture Marketing Company will set up fruit and vegetable wholesale points in five major cities. He added that agriculture department will provide additional space in vegetables markets for the purpose.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2010

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